Train drivers deal

On Wednesday in Berlin, negotiators reported a breakthrough in talks between Germany's train drivers union, GDL, with the state-owned railway company, Deutsche Bahn (DB).

A deal could be imminent that would prevent a threatened wave of "massive industrial action" the GDL's chief Claus Weselsky had threatened would begin on January 11.

"We can go into the new year with somewhat less anxiety," said DB's head of personnel management, Ulrich Weber. "It's a good day for DB clients and workers."

Passenger rail travel is very important in Germany, which has a dense network of railways, ranging from inner-city trams through city rail networks and regional commuter trains all the way to high-speed intercity trains.

Rail freight is also crucial to the country's economy. Many industrial companies depend on the railway to transport raw materials in and finished products out.

The end of a year of rail travel turmoil

The talks came at the end of a year when travelers were inconvenienced by a number of disruptive strikes initiated by GDL.

The dispute between GDL and DB centered on three major issues: The union's demand for a 5-percent pay increase; limits to overtime, which the union characterized as generating excessive stress on train personnel; and a right for GDL to represent other employees who work on board trains, in addition to drivers.

At present, most non-driver train personnel are represented by a rival union, EVG, railway and transportation workers' union.

The dispute became very controversial because of the disruption it caused to rail travel and freight. The German government responded with a new law intended to ensure wage-bargaining follows a "one union, one company" approach to limit the likelihood that inter-union turf wars generate unnecessary strikes.

Deutsche Bahn had stuck to its rejection of GDL's demands for most of the year, and put forward counter-offers Weselsky deemed inadequate. The union reacted with strikes - and had warned in recent weeks that further stonewalling by the company would lead to heavy strike action starting January.

According to a report from DPA news agency a deal is emerging according to which GDL members are to receive a one-time additional payment of 510 euros covering the second half of 2014 - and members of the EVG union would get the same offer.

The union agreed to back off on a demand to decrease the work-week by two hours, and agree to a one-hour reduction instead. The work-week would now count 38 hours.

The union also agreed to management's desire that there be no differing wage and benefits packages for members of the GDL union as distinct from the EVG union.

Negotiations covering 2015 are set to begin in January under the tentative agreement, according to DPA.

Most importantly for travellers and rail freight forwarders: Strikes are off the table for the time being, according to a GDL spokesperson.

nz/hg (dpa, AFP)